BIOGRAPHY
Richard Rahul Verma a senior counselor in Steptoe’s Washington office, has more than two decades of international and senior-level US government experience
– He is a leading practitioner in the fields of national security law, international regulatory compliance and public policy. He has handled a number of government investigations, including several high-profile congressional investigations, and managed numerous crisis situations impacting his clients.
– Mr. Verma has also worked extensively on US export controls and economic sanctions, and helped his clients resolve a wide range of global legal and regulatory issues, particularly in emerging markets.
– Mr. Verma most recently served in the Obama Administration as the Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs. As a principal advisor to Secretary Clinton, he led the State Department’s budget and policy efforts on Capitol Hill, handled over 200 Senate confirmations and managed several major congressional investigations.
– He was also the Administration’s lead negotiator with Congress on Iran sanctions and the ratification of the New START Treaty. Mr. Verma remained a senior outside advisor to the Secretary throughout her tenure at the Department.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Verma served as the Senior National Security Advisor to the Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid.
– For five years, he provided strategic counsel to the Senate Leader, oversaw key pieces of the Senate’s national security agenda, and played a lead role in shaping many consequential legislative initiatives in the post-9/11 era involving counterterrorism, homeland security, and intelligence reform.
– From 1994 to 1998, Mr. Verma served as an officer in the US Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps where he tried over 20 criminal cases. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.
– He has also worked in the House of Representatives for the late Congressman John P. Murtha and has served as a Country Director for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in Eastern Europe.
• Awarded the State Department’s Distinguished Service Award (2013).
• Appointed to Secretary of State’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board (2011).
• Recipient of the National South Asian Bar Association “Pioneer Award” for years of distinguished public service (2011).
• Member of the Presidential Department of Defense Transition Team (2008).
• Appointed to the Congressional Commission chaired by former Senators Graham and Talent on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism in May 2008.
• He is a co-author of the commission’s report “World at Risk.”
• In June 2007, Mr. Verma was selected by India Abroad as one of the 50 most influential Indian-Americans in the United States.
• Co-authored the 2003 National Academy of Sciences Report “Critical Information Infrastructure Protection and the Law: An Overview of Key Issues.”
Amritsar: US Ambassador Richard R Verma today visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar and paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum.
Dr Verma, who is on a visit to Punjab, also visited the Langar (community kitchen) in the temple premises to watch food preparation and took part in it for few minutes.
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